How to apply for medical PhD in Singapore

With effect from 2026 Intake, standardized test scores such as the GRE are optional for PhD (IBM) and (QBM) applications.

You may still choose to submit your GRE scores, and it is encouraged to do so if you believe it will enhance your application. Evidence of strong quantitative, verbal, and analytical skills through GRE scores, as well as indicators of research skills and experience will significantly strengthen your application.

If you choose to enter self-reported test scores, official test scores will become a required component of your application and the official GRE test results must be received by Duke-NUS before the application deadline i.e. 15 Jan. Submitted scores should not be more than 4 years old at the time of admission. Please have your scores released directly to Duke-NUS with the Designated Institution (DI) code of 4915.

Information on the GRE can be found on the ETS website.

Fill in the online application form at https://admissions.duke-nus.edu.sg/apply/

Applications open on 1^st June 2025.

Register for a username and password on our application site to proceed. Log into the application portal and complete the online application form, which includes various sections on personal data, academic records, past activities and achievements, research experience and essays.

You are also required to provide at least 3 references, of which at least one should be an academic reference.  Your references should be carefully chosen from faculty or others (e.g. job supervisors) who know you and your character well. If you have undertaken research projects, for example, we would like to hear from your research supervisor.

Please fill in your referees’ details in your online application. Upon doing so, an email request with a link to the referee report will be sent to your referee.

Here are some things to note:

• Applicants may save their application at any point and return to complete the application at a later time.
• If you choose to enter self-reported GRE test scores, please have your official scores sent directly to Duke-NUS with the Designated Institution (DI) code of 4915. If your GRE result is not available yet, be sure to provide us with your GRE Registration Number on your application, and notify us via email with your results as soon as they are available.

Applicants should reach out to their respective institutions to request for their electronic official transcripts to be sent directly to Duke-NUS at admissions@duke-nus.edu.sg

World Education Service (WES) Report for undergraduate transcripts

Students who are from undergraduate institutions outside of Singapore or the US must also request for their institutions to submit their transcripts to World Education Services (WES) for a credential evaluation. Please opt for the US Equivalent WES International Credential Advantage Package (ICAP) with a course-by-course report. A detailed report by WES will be sent directly to Duke-NUS. Please visit www.wes.org for further details. 

Applicants from Canadian universities may contact the Admissions Office at admissions@duke-nus.edu.sg to see if a WES report is required for your application.

Results of TOEFL or IELTS

Applicants who previously studied in a non-English speaking curriculum will be required to present documented evidence of their competence in written and spoken English by submitting their results of TOEFL or IELTS exams.

To meet the English requirement for our programme, the following are the minimum scores that should be achieved:

• 600 (for TOEFL paper-based test) or
• 85 (for TOEFL internet-based test) or
• an overall band score of 7.0 (for IELTS)

The TOEFL score or IELTS result is only valid for 2 years after the test and should be valid by the end of the application deadline for the programme.

Applicants should email a scanned copy of the official TOEFL/IELTS scoresheets to admissions@duke-nus.edu.sg during the online application period. IELTS scoresheets must display your Test Report Form Number.

For verification purposes, candidates are also requested to nominate our Institution to access your results online/electronically as follow:

• TOEFL iBT: Designated Institution (DI) code of C974 through ETS Data manager
• IELTS: Select IELTS Indicator ‘Duke-NUS Medical School’ through IELTS Test Report Form (TRF) Verification Service

There is no need to post the hardcopies of the results to us.

If you are still unsure on whether you are required to submit a TOEFL/IELTS test score, please contact the Admissions Office at admissions@duke-nus.edu.sg to seek clarification before the application period closes.

*Please note that these dates may occasionally change depending on the circumstances.